Like the true MN State Fairgoers we are, Nick, Whitney, Kristen, Curtis (!!!), and I kicked on the season on Day 1. Traffic nearing the fairgrounds became a backed up nightmare. Previous experience has taught us to abort Mission Park-at-the-Fair and find the nearest free Park and Ride. The first one we drove by had a mile long line of people waiting to get on a bus, so we kept driving. Whitney led us to a suspiciously empty P&R, and after some googling we came to the conclusion that it operated on weekends and Labor Day only. Seriously, they need better signage on site. A handful of us left, but some stubborn people stayed back and waited for a shuttle that would never come.
We decided to tackle parking from the opposite direction, but to no avail. We ended up parking on a residential street about a mile away and hoofed it the rest of the way to the fair. It only took about 20 minutes, which wasn’t a terrible walk, putting our arrival time at 10:25 a.m. Curtis and Kristen drove separately and paid premium price to park in someone’s yard. Which didn’t seem all that necessary after walking into the fair, but really would have been a better option when our tired and rickety bodies had to walk back to the car at the end of the day.
We entered at the north end of the fair and took advantage of the practically non-existent line at Giggles to try the Duck and Bacon Wontons. I thought they were delicious; Nick and Whitney did not agree. Nick got his required footlong, and we made our way south to catch up with Curtis and Kristen. We briefly stood in line at O’Gara’s, but then decided to hit up the Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop instead for the Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler and Nitro Cold Pressed Coffee.
We met Curtis and Kristen in front of the French Creperie. Nick wanted a crepe but didn’t want to wait in the excessively long line that extended into the street. Surprisingly, there was no line for Sweet Martha’s.
Next we headed to the Horticulture building to get Apple Rollovers before they sold out. I’ve said it before, but these are the hidden gems of the fair. So flaky and delicious. And at $3 they’re a bargain. They’re made fresh daily and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
We did a quick sweep of International Bazaar. Nick wanted something from Chan’s, but their steak was still frozen so we decided to return another time. I tided myself over with a corn dog.
Next we moseyed over to the Blue Barn, because they’re one of our favorite restaurants and everything there is good. We enjoyed French Toast Bites, Bacon Stuffed Tots, and Blueberry Basil Lemonade.
We browsed the West End Market. We (minus me) tried a Nordic Waffle. We moseyed through the lower level of the Grand Stand. Nick got a Butcher Boys sandwich while the rest of us got Corn. And I got Big Fat Bacon. I should really buy two slices each time because I always want more and it doesn’t take up that much stomach room.
I had a sip of Nick’s 1919 to remind myself I don’t like root beer. Then we went back to old Machinery Hill to check out cars and ice fishing things and all the other stuff up there. The new Pet Pavilion is nice, and The Hangar, which is now in the old pet building, is a nice place to hang as well. Curtis and Kristen got a flight of craft beer, and we sat at a table eating Henry’s Kettle Korn.
We hit up O’Gara’s for their Irish Tater Kegs, which was probably the best new food that I tried this year so far. I plan on getting them again before the fair ends.
Whitney and I wondered through the Food Building looking for new things, and she decided to go with the UpNorth Puff Pastry. We met the others outside and shared a container of cheese curds as well. Oddly enough, I’ve had a lot of cheese curds this year. Those were by far the best.
When we passed the Crepe stand again, Nick got his crepe. Whitney and I enjoyed wine. I tried the Peach.
We stopped by Tiny Tim’s Donuts to see if anyone we knew was working. Jody was the only one there. We chit chatted for a while, and then Curtis and Kristen left us for the day. Somehow it was already after 5 p.m.
Whitney and I eyeballed the Blue Moon but didn’t want to commit to anything there. We wandered around for a while. Nick wanted to go to the Dairy Bar. I didn’t intend on getting ice cream because I wasn’t feeling like eating anything sweet, but the Flavor of the Fair this year was smores, and the photo looked so good that I had to try the Smores Malt. It. Was. Amazing. Vanilla malt topped with those little mini dehydrated marshmallows, Golden Grahams, and hot fudge. This is going on the list to get again before the fair ends.
Whitney scored a half-eaten Flowering Onion from a friendly lady, so that was a nice surprise. After that we made our way back to the north end of the fair. We got a bucket of Sweet Martha’s to drop off at our pregnant friend Emma’s house. Of course we had to eat enough to close the bucket. Nick got a last minute hamburger. I wasn’t hungry, but I kind of wanted to eat more, but there wasn’t anything I could think of that I wanted. Probably because I wasn’t actually hungry. But it’s the fair. If you’re not holding food it doesn’t feel right.
It was a great first day, although it felt way busier than normal. And even though it felt crowded, the lines weren’t too bad as a whole. We chalked it up to the great weather. Hopefully next time we can find decent parking!